Tate McDermott believes the addition of three key Wallabies will be "game-changers" for their Super Round clash with the Western Force.
The captain admitted his side was "annihilated" around the collision areas in the 47-13 loss to the Hurricanes in a deflating season opener in Townsville.
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However, the Reds have been boosted by the returns of five-eighth James O'Connor, winger Suliasi Vunivalu and fullback Jock Campbell.
Vunivalu will start on the wing at the ground he made his name whilst O'Connor and Campbell will make their returns from the bench.
"That'd be massive; we've been missing guys like that around the fold so to have them back potentially, is an absolute game-changer for us," McDermott said on their potential return on Wednesday.
Ironically it was No.10 Tom Lynagh and fullback Jordan Petaia who were among the Reds' best in Townsville, with the teenager retaining his spot in the starting side as Josh Flook pushes to the centres in place of Isaac Henry.
But McDermott said the returning trio could help address general discipline issues, both while holding the ball and defending the line, which again hurt after a 0-6 record against New Zealand opponents last season.
"We looked to turn a page in that sense but unfortunately it was pretty disappointing," McDermott said.
"We've a huge chance this week against the Force, but we've got to see some serious shifts.
"We got annihilated around the collision area ... (there's) quite a few work-ons for us but a couple of tinkers here and there and we're such a different side."
The Force have named hooker Folau Fainga'a and winger Manasa Mataele after they missed last week's narrow win over the Melbourne Rebels.
Both were late withdrawals before the season opener, with Fainga'a joining Tom Robertson and Santiago Medrano in an all-international front-row whilst Mataele replaces Toni Pulu.
Cult hero Jeremy Thrush continues his un-retirement tour, starting alongside Jeremy Williams whilst Issak Fines-Leleiwasa starts at scrumhalf as they look for a better start.
FORCE (1-15): Tom Robertson, Folau Fainga’a, Santiago Medrano, Jeremy Williams, Jeremy Thrush, Tim Anstee, Ollie Callan, Michael Wells, Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, Bryce Hegarty, Zach Kibirige, Hamish Stewart, Bayley Kuenzle, Manasa Mataele, Chase Tiatia
RESERVES: Tom Horton, Angus Wagner, Siosifa Amone, Felix Kalapu, Jackson Pugh, Ian Prio, George Poolman, Jake Strachan
REDS (1-15): Dane Zander, Matt Faessler, Zane Nonggorr, Ryan Smith, Seru Uru, Liam Wright (co-c) Fraser McReight, Harry Wilson, Tate McDermott (co-c), Tom Lynagh, Filipo Daugunu, Hunter Paisami, Josh Flook, Suliasi Vunivalu, Jordan Petaia
RESERVES: Richie Asiata, Sef Fa'agase, Peni Ravai, Jake Upfield, Connor Anderson, Kalani Thomas, James O'Connor, Jock Campbell
